Which of these has the better sound system?

I test drove a 2024 IS 500 F Sport with Mark Levinson 1800 watts 17 speakers surround sound system.

I also test drove a 2024 NX 350 F Sport with Mark Levinson 1800 watts 17 speakers with Pure Play surround sound.

While both of these system sound truly phenomenal to my ears. I felt that the NX had a slight edge in the music I listen to which is mostly pop vocals and classical. I felt the highs were clearer and there was more presence in the overall sound. There were times I felt like I was in a concert, it was that clear without any distortion.

Although the IS has a slight edge of being able to use a CD which will give you the best possible sound that will always outweigh streaming over your phone or usb/c cord.

Still they both utilize the same watts and speakers that I wonder why I felt it sounded better in the NX? Maybe newer tech/speakers?

 

I have the 2024 NX350 Fsport w/ ML and 2025 IS350 Fsport w/ ML. Some music genres might sound better and louder in the NX due to the cabin layout of the speakers, while Hip Hop and EDM genre sound more punchy with better decent bass in the IS. I felt the NX is missing extra low bass sound. Wanted to add dedicated 1 12’ powered JL Audio enclosure to the NX. It will definitely make a big difference with the audio experience. Both cars are great car, now just gotta figure how many Horsepower along with Old or New tech setup? Best of luck. Happy car hunting!

 

Here's an interesting link I found a while ago on the ML site. This is for the NX but they have other models detailed too:

https://us.marklevinson.com/in-lexus.html#nx

 

I just purchased a 2025 nx350 with the Mark Levinson. Premium audio is very important to me and I felt the Mark Levinson was the best I could have in my NX. I paid $1080 at purchase for it. Although it sounds great I realize that it has only 10 speakers not seventeen and only 800 watts not 1800 like I see other Lexus vehicles have. My question is this. Is the NX 350 offered with the choice of two ML audios. One with 10 speakers and one with 17 with two different price points or just the one that I have in my NX?

 

There are only 2 choices for NX audio systems. The standard base system is the 10 speaker one (although, from memory I think only 8 are powered, the other 2 are some kind of passive port reflex type) and then the ML system which is advertised as the 17 speaker one (although I don't know off hand if this number also includes passive ones as well).

 

Well, you know the IS 500 F Sport does have a huge pony trick up it's sleeve don't you? That amazing V8 engine sound!! Plus it appears to be headed for the chopping block soon by Lexus so you may want to think about that if you're a lover of sweet engine sounds too!

My own musical preferences are all over the place myself, 50's thru to current rock pop & some blues. And I have pushed the volume dial to the 50's + settings on occasion without any noticeable sound distortion or annoying interior vibrations to distract from the show! Unfortunately I have no other car sound system to use a reference, but I'm guessing the IS would be right there too!

I found a couple of reviews on YouTube:
The IS Here:

The NX Here:

I know they didn't compare these 2 back to back but they did say for a small sedan the IS was probably a 9+ for them. The reviewer also liked the NX very much as well.
The NX is claimed to be an all new design from the ground up. Simply due to their physical shape of vehicle a few speaker placements differ, like the sub woofer and mid's located in rear doors.

Not much technical info provided from Mark Levinson but here's the link to their site:
https://us.marklevinson.com/in-lexus.html

 

So the amplifier is under the center console?

 

I think they are dual cone units so they're counting them as 2 in 1. ML site calls them dual unity speakers "Delivers authentic sound combining both mid and high frequencies" and so counts each as 2 speakers. 3 on top of dash = 6 plus 2 on front and 2 on rear doors = 8 leaving 2 woofers in front lower doors and the rear sub for a total of 17 plus it uses a 7.1 channel architecture a 12 channel DSP amplifier providing 1800 watts.

The amp is under centre console and there has been issues with some over heating and stop working intermittently. Being replaced under warranty.

 

This is from the flyer for my 2022:

 

So they are counting some speakers as 2 in one?

 

[QUOTE=So they are counting some speakers as 2 in one?[/QUOTE]

Yes, ML site calls them "dual unity speakers", "Delivers authentic sound combining both mid and high frequencies"

 

I saw a u tube video I forgot which year NX but it had the ML system and the reviewer said there are speaker grills in the back seat doors at the bottom but they don’t work. So is it just a grill cover or is there a speaker behind the cover? The reviewer was perplexed that at the bottom of the door there was a speaker cover but it wasn’t working.

 

See my earlier post #6. The video reviewer for the NX asks that question specifically, noting that there's a blank in the lower rear door panel but no speaker.

 

What was the reason for that design? I’ve never heard of a manufacturer installing a dummy speaker in a door.

 

Not a speaker there. I guess you didn't watch the video reference. It's a simple looking 'cutout' in trim, so in other words it's a blank spot where a speaker could go possibly.